Hungry Stones - Important Questions

Certainly! Here are more detailed answers to each set of questions based on "The Hungry
Stones" by Rabindranath Tagore:

Comprehension Questions:
1. Who is the narrator of the story, and what is his relationship with his kinsman?
The narrator is a government servant who tells the story of his kinsman, a young
man who took up a post under the Nizam of Hyderabad. The narrator’s exact
relationship to his kinsman is not explicitly defined, but he seems to be an elder
relative or a mentor figure.
2. Describe the initial impression the narrator and his kinsman have of the man they
meet on the train. What qualities make him stand out?
The man they meet on the train, known as Srijut, impresses them with his
sophisticated and commanding presence. He exudes confidence and has an air of
mystery about him, which captivates the narrator and his kinsman.
3. What was the narrator's occupation and why did he leave his previous job to
work for the Nizam of Hydria?
The narrator's kinsman was a government servant who took up a new position
with the Nizam of Hyderabad for better prospects and possibly a more prestigious
role. The change is driven by career advancement opportunities.
4. Describe the setting of the marble palace in Barich. What historical details are
provided about its construction and original use?
The marble palace in Barich is depicted as a grand, yet eerie structure built by a
Mughal emperor for leisure and pleasure. The palace was a site of opulent parties
and luxurious living, now fallen into disrepair and rumored to be haunted.
5. Why does Karim Khan, the old clerk, warn the narrator about staying in the
palace at night?
Karim Khan warns the narrator because the palace is believed to be haunted by
the spirits of its past occupants. He shares stories of inexplicable and frightening
events experienced by those who previously stayed there, suggesting a
malevolent supernatural presence.
6. What strange experiences does the narrator begin to have in the palace? How
does he describe these occurrences?
The narrator begins to have vivid visions and auditory hallucinations of the past,
seeing grand parties, hearing music, and feeling the presence of people who once
inhabited the palace. These occurrences are so realistic that they make him
question his own sanity.
 7. How does the narrator’s perception of reality change during his stay at the
palace?
The narrator’s perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted. He starts to
live more in the past he sees in his visions than in the present, making it difficult
for him to distinguish between what is real and what is a hallucination.
8. Who does the narrator believe is guiding him through the palace at night, and
what scenes does he witness?
The narrator believes that an unseen spirit or force is guiding him through the
palace. He witnesses scenes of royal banquets, dances, and other activities from
the Mughal era, experiencing them as if he were actually present in those times.
9. What role does the character Meher Ali play in the story?
Meher Ali is a local madman who serves as a warning figure in the story. His
repeated cries of “Stop! Don’t go there!” suggest he has had his own terrifying
experiences with the palace, reinforcing its ominous reputation and the dangers of
the supernatural.
10. What specific warnings does Karim Khan give the narrator about the palace, and
how does the narrator initially react to these warnings?
Karim Khan warns the narrator about the palace’s haunted nature, sharing stories
of previous tenants who encountered terrifying supernatural events. The narrator
initially dismisses these warnings, considering them to be superstitions or
exaggerations.
11. Detail the historical context of the marble palace as described in the story. Who
built it and for what purpose?
The marble palace was constructed by a Mughal emperor as a pleasure retreat. It
was designed to be a place of extravagant leisure, filled with lavish decorations,
beautiful gardens, and spaces for entertainment and relaxation.
12. What changes occur in the narrator’s behavior and routine as he spends more
time in the palace?
As the narrator spends more time in the palace, he becomes more withdrawn and
preoccupied with his visions. He starts to spend his nights wandering through the
palace, captivated by the scenes from the past, which leads to his increasing
isolation from reality.
13. Describe the interactions between the narrator and the figure he believes to be
guiding him through the palace.
The interactions are subtle and mysterious. The narrator feels the presence of the
guide, who leads him to various parts of the palace where he witnesses different
scenes. The guide’s identity remains ambiguous, adding to the story’s
supernatural allure.
14. What significant events or visions does the narrator experience during his
nighttime wanderings in the palace?
The narrator experiences grand feasts, musical performances, and intimate
moments of the past inhabitants. These visions are rich in detail, making him feel
 as if he has stepped back in time and is part of the historical scenes he witnesses.
15. How do the townspeople, including Meher Ali, contribute to the mysterious
atmosphere surrounding the palace?
The townspeople’s fear and avoidance of the palace, combined with Meher Ali’s
cryptic warnings, enhance the sense of mystery and danger. Their behavior and
stories add credibility to the supernatural elements of the narrative, making the
palace seem genuinely haunted.

Analytical Questions:
1. Discuss the theme of reality versus illusion in the story. How does the narrator's
experience in the palace blur these lines?
The theme of reality versus illusion is central to the story as the narrator’s visions
of the past become increasingly vivid and convincing. The palace's atmosphere
and the vividness of these experiences blur the boundaries between what is real
and what is imagined, leading the narrator to question his own sanity and the
nature of reality.
2. Analyze the role of the setting in creating a sense of mystery and suspense in the
story.
The setting of the abandoned, grand marble palace is crucial in creating a sense
of mystery and suspense. Its opulent yet decayed state, combined with the local
legends and eerie atmosphere, sets the stage for supernatural occurrences and
heightens the suspense throughout the story.
3. How does the story explore the concept of time, particularly in relation to the
past and present?
The story explores the concept of time by depicting the past as a persistent and
powerful presence within the palace. The narrator’s visions show how the past
continues to live on in the present, suggesting that time is fluid and that history
can intrude upon and influence the present.
4. What might the palace and its haunting memories symbolize in the context of the
story?
The palace and its haunting memories symbolize the enduring influence of history
and the past on the present. They represent how places can be imbued with the
emotions, events, and lives of those who once inhabited them, making the past
inseparable from the present.
5. How does Tagore use sensory details to enhance the eerie atmosphere of the
palace?
Tagore uses rich sensory details, describing the opulence of the palace, the
sounds of music and voices, and even the scents of the past, to create a vivid and
immersive experience. These details make the supernatural elements more
tangible and enhance the eerie, haunting atmosphere of the palace.
 6. What significance do the references to various cultures and literature (e.g.,
Persian poetry, Arabian Nights) have in the story?
These references add cultural depth and richness to the story, evoking the
grandeur and mysticism of the past. They help to create a sense of exoticism and
timelessness, aligning the palace with the opulence and mystery of the cultures
that influenced its creation.
7. Examine the psychological aspects of the narrator’s experiences. How does
Tagore use psychological tension to build suspense?
Tagore delves into the narrator’s mind, exploring his increasing obsession with the
visions and his gradual detachment from reality. This psychological tension,
combined with the eerie atmosphere of the palace, builds suspense as the reader
questions the narrator’s sanity and the nature of his experiences.
8. Discuss the motif of isolation in the story. How does the narrator’s physical and
emotional isolation affect his experiences?
The narrator’s physical isolation in the palace, away from human contact,
amplifies his emotional isolation and vulnerability. This isolation makes him more
susceptible to the supernatural experiences and contributes to his psychological
unraveling, heightening the story’s suspense and mystery.
9. What is the significance of the title "The Hungry Stones"? How does it relate to
the themes and events of the story?
The title suggests that the stones of the palace are ‘hungry’ for the lives and
memories they have absorbed over the centuries. It reflects the theme of the past
consuming the present, as the narrator is metaphorically ‘devoured’ by the
palace’s history and haunted by its memories.
10. Analyze the character of Meher Ali. What does he represent in the context of the
story’s supernatural elements?
Meher Ali represents the voice of caution and the acknowledgement of the
supernatural dangers of the palace. His repeated warning, “Stop! Don’t go there!”,
embodies the collective fear and the ominous presence that haunts the palace,
serving as a reminder of the dangers lurking within.
11. How does Tagore use cultural and historical references to enrich the narrative?
What impact do these references have on the reader’s understanding of the
story?
Tagore’s use of cultural and historical references grounds the story in a rich
historical context, making the supernatural elements more believable and
immersive. These references add depth to the narrative, helping the reader
understand the cultural and historical significance of the palace and its haunting.

Thematic Questions:

1. Explore the theme of memory and its impact on the present. How do the
memories of the past inhabitants of the palace influence the narrator’s
experience?
 The theme of memory is central as the past inhabitants’ lives and emotions have
permeated the palace, creating a lingering presence that affects the narrator.
These memories make the past vividly present, influencing the narrator’s
thoughts, feelings, and actions, and blurring the line between past and present.
2. Discuss the idea of ‘haunting’ in the story. What or who is truly haunting the
palace?
The haunting is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, the spirits of the past
occupants seem to haunt the palace, replaying their lives and events.
Metaphorically, the past itself, with its weight of history and memories, haunts the
present, affecting the narrator profoundly.
3. How does the story address the concept of madness? Is the narrator
experiencing madness, or is there something more profound at work?
The story blurs the line between madness and supernatural experience. The
narrator’s experiences could be interpreted as madness brought on by isolation
and the palace’s eerie atmosphere, or as profound encounters with the haunted
past. Tagore leaves this ambiguity, allowing readers to decide.
4. What role does fate or destiny play in the story? How are the narrator’s actions
influenced by the events that unfold in the palace?
Fate or destiny seems to draw the narrator to the palace and its history. His
actions, guided by the supernatural occurrences, suggest that he is following a
predetermined path influenced by the palace’s past. This theme suggests that the
past and the present are interconnected, and that history can shape one’s destiny.